In the bustling world of design and creativity, inspiration often strikes in the most unlikeliest of places, as Topps senior designer Phil Imbriano can attest. Picture this: a daily, routine subway ride in New York City turns into a flash of creative brilliance for Imbriano, leading to the genesis of the 2025 Topps Series 1 baseball cards, which are officially launching to eager collectors today.
It was an ordinary day amidst the clamor of city life when Imbriano’s whereabouts aboard an NYC subway train became the catalyst for an extraordinary design journey. As his eyes casually scanned the car, they caught something intriguing—a red-and-silver badge. Its sleek lines and captivating curves seized his designer’s eye, compelling him to snap a quick photo. By the time he stepped onto the Topps office floor, mental gears were already turning, morphing simple observations into tangible design concepts.
“I love drawing inspiration from everyday things,” Imbriano mused, reflecting on his creative process. “It could be a building, a sign—just something that catches my eye. I take pictures and refer back to them later. You never know when something simple will turn into something big.” Little did he know, this chance encounter would echo through the collector’s realm in the form of baseball card designs both nostalgic and contemporary.
The result is a striking design that pairs two bold lines sweeping up the left side and across the top of each card. For collectors with a keen eye, there’s a familiar resonance with the classic 1982 Topps set, yet reimagined, colour-matched to today’s teams. Interestingly, this homage to the past was not meticulously planned. Imbriano’s creative compass initially pointed towards the woodgrain nostalgia of the 1962 and 1987 sets. “The ’82 connection was a happy accident,” he admitted. “But I think it works because it blends vintage style with a modern twist.”
Entering the domain of Topps competitors, this design was no walk in the park—it distinguished itself over 20 other concepts, all vying for the coveted spot in a grim selection process that stretched across months. The process draws echoes of past designs, with some elements finding their way into future creations. This year’s cards, for example, feature a small yet distinctive field graphic in the corner, marking each player’s position.
Phil Imbriano’s design journey was as colorful as the final product itself. From a moment of inspiration on the subway to the painstaking pursuits in the design studio, it took approximately ten versions before the team settled on the ultimate design.
“There’s so much that goes into this process,” he explained. “I don’t think most people realize how much work happens before they ever hold the card in their hands.”
As the digital designs transform from pixels to prototypes, the hands-on evaluation begins. This tactile examination is crucial, insists Clay Luraschi, Topps’ senior vice president of product. “When we’re down to the final five designs, we actually print them out and simulate opening a pack,” Luraschi divulged. “It’s a long, competitive process, and it’s one of the biggest debates we have in the office all year.”
This yearly debate is not without precedent. “Everyone on the team knows how important this is,” said Luraschi. “This is the 74th edition of Topps baseball cards. From the early days when Sy Berger designed them on his kitchen table to today’s high-tech process, we all take that legacy seriously. It’s a big deal—but also a lot of fun.”
Beyond the primary design lies a treasure trove of subsets in the 2025 Topps Series 1, each bringing its own charm to the collection. From Future Stars and All-Topps Team to thematic groups like Training Grounds and Call to the Hall, there’s something for everyone. The City Connect Swatch Collection and Heavy Lumber Autographs add layers of intrigue.
Fans of the Dodgers rejoice with celebratory base-card variations depicting key moments, even capturing the infectious energy of Freddie Freeman’s “Freddie Dance.” Meanwhile, the 35th-anniversary special honors the bold, colorful aesthetic of the 1990 Topps set, grounding the modern innovation in a reverence for past designs.
“I approach designing cards like I would a movie poster,” Imbriano stated with enthusiasm. “Each card should stand out on its own, almost like a mini poster in a collector’s hands.”
And that is the essence that propels Topps’ design strategy—crafting memorable artifacts that collectors will cherish for years. “Fifty years from now, people should be able to look at a card and instantly recognize the year it’s from,” Luraschi added, recognizing the nostalgic anticipation that fuels collectors’ fervor. Imbriano’s latest creation, a serendipitous dance between past inspirations and modern flair, looks poised to do just that, drawing eyes and admiration for decades to come.